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Hilton Probably Will Be Gametime Decision; Colts Optimistic

By Luke Schultheis

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According to NFL Network Reporter Rand Getlin, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton will probably be a gametime decision before the team’s 8:30 PM EST matchup against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football:

The Colts star receiver injured his knee in the 3rd quarter of last Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills and did not return. However, his x-ray came back negative, and there was shown to be no structural damage which is encouraging news.

Rather, the team is likely going to be cautious with their top wideout and could hold him out of gametime action for the next week or so as a precaution. If I were a betting man, I’d lean towards Hilton not actually playing on Monday Night Football, but that hasn’t been completely ruled out at this juncture.

It’s worth noting that per Colts.com’s Kevin Bowen, Hilton didn’t practice Thursday which sheds negative light on his potential availability against the Jets: 

In Hilton’s potential absence, look for emerging 2nd-year wideout Donte Moncrief and blazing fast rookie wideout Phillip Dorsett to assume a larger role within the offense. Proven veteran Andre Johnson figures to handle the bulk of the receiving load as Andrew Luck‘s possession target.

Sep 3, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) watches from the bench during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson should have no problem shifting into the Colts #1 wide receiver role, as he’s accustomed to it from his glory days playing with the Houston Texans.

The interesting question now will be who the New York Jets shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis plans to shadow on Monday night, as that receiver could be in-line for quite a quiet evening going up against arguably the league’s best coverman.

Last week, Hilton had 7 receptions for 88 receiving yards before leaving for the locker room, so there’s definitely some slack to pick up from the team’s remaining receiving corps. Still, the Colts are deep at wide receiver, and they’ll likely be called upon to tap into that depth come Monday Night.

Update (1:43): According to head coach Chuck Pagano, there’s apparently a lot of optimism that Hilton will now play against the New York Jets (via Mike Chappell):

Good thing I’m not a betting man. 

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